Nicola Coughlan shares health update after being struck down with bug during run of new play The Playboy Of The Western World opposite Derry Girls co-star Siobhán McSweeney

Nicola Coughlan has shared a health update with fans, as she revealed she's been battling a bug during the run of her new play, The Playboy Of The Western World.

The Bridgerton star, 38, is currently starring in a revival of the 1907 production at The National Theatre, opposite her former Derry Girls co-star Siobhán McSweeney.

But on Tuesday, Nicola took to her Instagram Stories to reveal she'd recently been struck down with an illness and was still not yet back to full health.

As a result, she explained that on advice from her doctors, she would be be unable to greet fans after the show to give out autographs as usual, because she was prioritising keeping healthy enough to ensure she could keep performing.

Stressing her gratitude for being part of the show, she penned: 'Thank you so much to everyone who's come to see The Playboy of the Western World so far, this show is a joy to be in and I'm loving every moment, I feel so grateful we get to keep doing it until February.'

She went on: 'Unfortunately I caught a bug a few weeks ago and am not yet back to full health so following medical advice I won't be able to sign at Stage Door post-show for the forseeable future.

'My priority has to be to be well enough to perform for the rest of the run so I thank you in advance for your understanding and hope you continue to enjoy our show as much as we enjoy performing it for you.'

The Playboy Of The Western World debuted at Lyttelton Theatre last month and its run is set to end on February 28.

Nicola stars as Pegeen Mike in the three-act play, which was written by Irish playwright John Millington Synge and has been revived by Caitríona McLaughlin, artistic director of the Abbey Theatre.

The production sees her reunited with Siobhán, 45, who is playing the role of Widow Quin, after the actresses last starred together in the critically acclaimed sitcom Derry Girls, which aired from 2018 to 2022.

The beloved comedy is set in mid-1990s Northern Ireland, during the final years of the Troubles, and saw Nicola star as schoolgirl Clare Devlin and Siobhán as her headmistress, Sister George Michael.

Last year, Nicola voiced her excitement about reuniting with her pal for the new project.

Sharing the news on Instagram in April, she wrote: 'Reuniting with an old friend for a new adventure doing an Irish classic. So excited to be bringing the Wesht of Ireland to the @nationaltheatre.'

The production also stars Éanna Hardwicke as lead character and Nicola's love interest, Christy Mahon.

While the cast is rounded out by Marty Breen, Declan Conlon, Lorcan Cranitch, Megan Cusack, Naoise Dunbar, Matthew Forest, Sallay Garnett, Fionnuala Gygax, Erin Hennessey, Marty Rea, Susan Akintomide, Peter Mooney and Donncha O'Dea. 

A synopsis reads: 'Pegeen Flaherty’s life is turned upside down when, on a normal day, a young man walks into her pub claiming that he’s killed his father.

'Instead of being shunned, the killer Christy Mahon becomes a local hero. The welcome murderer wins hearts and races as he beds himself into village life. That is until a second man unexpectedly arrives on the scene…'

The creative team includes set and costume designer Katie Davenport, lighting designer James Farncomb, sound designer Adrienne Quartly, composer Anna Mullarkey and casting directors Alastair Coomer and Naomi Downham.